Tension in Andhra Pradesh Assembly over Jaganmohan Reddy's role in Agri Gold scam

VIJAYAWADA: Tension built up in AP Legislative Assembly on Friday with the ruling TDP and opposition YSRC MLAs coming very close to exchanging blows on the issue of Agri Gold lands scam.In continuation to Thursday's drama that unfolded, with both parties challenging and counter challenging each other, Agriculture Minister P Pulla Rao said that YSRC chief and Leader of Opposition, YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who made allegations that his family members purchased the Agri Gold lands, should take up the gauntlet.

Pulla Rao said that Jagan Reddy should spell out his stand on whether he is ready to be expelled from the House if he fails to prove the charges against him saying "I am ready for the same punishment if proved guilty."With the YSRC chief evading a direct reply and trying to continue his speech over the Agri Gold issue, the treasury benches demanded a clear and straight response from him.

Labour Minister K Atchhennaidu sought the Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao to take up other issues only after the YSRC chief clarifies his stand over the challenge. The opposition leader either should accept the challenge or tender an apology to Pulla Rao for making baseless allegations, he said.When the Speaker also suggested the YSRC chief to first respond to the challenge, opposition MLAs stormed into the well. Stating that there is no scope for debate over the Agri Gold issue as Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu has already made a statement and also given a reply to the House on Thursday, Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu asserted that further proceedings of the House should be taken up only after Jagan Mohan Reddy gave a direct reply on whether he is taking up the challenge or withdrawing the allegations.

 With the YSRC MLAs remaining at the Podium and demanding Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao to give their leader and the treasury benchesa chance to speak sticking to their demand that the YSRC chief should not be allowed to speak until he responds, MLAs from both sides, particularly Chevireddy Baskahara Rddy (YSRC) and Chintamaneni Prabhakar (TDP) kept shouting at each other and came very close to exchanging blows.

Even after the Speaker adjourned the House, MLAs from both sides remained in the House. Following the intervention of the leaders from both sides, the warring groups walked out of the House.